My dilemma...

I saw my new surgeon Dr Lautz today at Brigham and Women's. They seem to think that my swallowing issues are due to me being too tight for too long. My band has been empty since November and I have gained a whopping 40 pounds! We discussed all the possible options - replacing the band with either an RnY or a Sleeve, doing nothing, removing the band. I guess the immediate next step for me will be to get an upper GI in 4 weeks and then if my swallowing issue has improved, slowly try to refill my empty band. If the swallowing issue isnt getting better, then he suggested that I consider alternative surgeries. I expressed my concern about the RnY - the malabsorption issue and getting my insides rearranged and he assured me that the malabsorption really isnt as big a deal as I always thought depending on where he does the cuts for the surgery. The sleeve he said doesnt have many long terms results but there is concern that it isnt that effective after a year or so. He said that the issue there is how narrow a sleeve he makes it. (First I heard that!) He is concerned that if I get another band or if he repositions the existing band I will end up with the same swallowing problems I have now. The long term effects of leaving the band where it is now is that perhaps I can eventually get an enlarged esophagus which would contribute to a slip or something. I asked him about cancer - he said it wasnt that much of a risk but that replacing the entire esophagus could possibly be. (Major yikes!) I guess the good news is that I think I can trust this guy - even if he isnt exactly proband - I think he's good and reflective of the options. If I do get a revision it wont be for another 6-8 months though.. We talked about whether insurance will pay and he assured me that he thought BC/BS would because of the swallowing issues but this state hasnt approved the Sleeve yet.. This is a brain dump - it's just good to get it down in writing..

Its sad that although this Island is such a supportive place, because of certain ones I dont feel I can be candid like I want to be. The last thing I want to happen is to have others come on this thread and band bash when you are in need of some good old fashion hugs! (by way of soothing words) So I guess I will just pm you.

Thanks Lenora - My feeling about the invaders is that if you dont bait them they wont have anything to react to. I didnt even bring up the DS with Dr. Lautz. The only person I know in person who has had a DS about 8 years ago. She has had some major iron deficiency issues that require IV's and a hernia and serious smelly bm issues despite her taking her ADEK vitamins religiously and probably some other medical issues that I dont even know about. Not even an option that I want to consider. Although she does look good.

Rose, You can vent anytime! You have a lot to think about. (((((HUGS!))))))

Oh Rose, I am so sorry to hear this. I would love to give my true thoughts, but perhaps will do so by email when I get some time. After the island invasion - I won't want to provide sound bites for anyone. What size band do you have?

Chelle, I find this so sad. We've been a tight knit group and now we can't even talk. We'll be quoted and be seen as whining-miserable-fatties-who hate their bands.

Yeah, I don't get it. Hopefully we will get the private, invitation only, forum option soon. I don't have that much time to post and I come here for friends and R&R for entertainment, lol. I'll whine if I want to - to my friends, I am not miserable, I think I look damn good and I don't need PS, and I love my band! Gawd, I am a weirdo...

I have a 4. Even without any saliene though I do feel restriction if I eat too much or too large a bite or certain kinds of food - doughy bread or not good beef etc. I dont have the classic signs of reflux - regurgitation or coughing in the middle of the night or any of that stuff.. So it really is the swallowing that is a problem. I read on another board that people do live with this - take lots of throat losengers (sp?) drink with meals, etc. Now that I think of it though - I still suspect that these surgeons are all out to make more money.. Oh to be so cynical and distrusting of doctors (especially since I work with doctors everyday and am related to quite a few doctors myself).

Since I have been banded, most problems I've heard about have been with that band. Your situation is a bit different, and I sure hope they find an answer that doesn't require a revision or other surgery. Hugs!!!!

I was denied my revision, but for reasons that don't pertain to me, I have to file an appeal, I am still horrified of another surgery. I had my band backed off slowly over 5 months, then empty for 3 1/2 and sadly, it didn't improve. I believe having an empty band made me more vulnerable for the ultimate herniated stomach I ended up with. I am so sorry you are living this, but RNY is not the same scarey surgery done years ago. I am working on my head and food issues right now and will take it from there. So, there are doing the sleve in town? No one is "advertising" it yet.